KEY TEXTS
Salt & Light
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV)
The Law & Righteousness
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:17-20 (ESV)
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WHAT IS THE LAW?
The law (and prophets) refer to all of the writings of the Old Testament. In the Scriptures there are approximately 613 commandments given by God.
Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Psalm 119:97 (ESV)
Moral Law: These are matters of right and wrong. These are laws that are true for all time and for all people.
Civic/Judicial Law: These are laws governing how the people of Israel would live together as a society.
Ceremonial Law: These are laws about Israel’s unique relationship to God. If you broke the moral law you needed a way to be made right.
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How did Jesus fulfill the law?
Jesus perfectly followed the moral law and never sinned. Jesus lived under the civic law perfectly. Jesus became the sacrifice that the ceremonial law required.
THE LAW AND JESUS
1. Jesus did what we can not.
2. Jesus provided the perfect interpretation.
3. Jesus was wrongly condemned by the law.
4. Jesus makes it possible for us to be found righteous.
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INTERPRETING THE LAW
TIP 1: Look to Truth
God defines what is moral or immoral. This does not change.
TIP 2: Look at Scripture
The New Testament reaffirms many laws from the Old Testament.
TIP 3: Look at Principles
Judicial laws were given to Israel as a nation. Many of our government’s laws were originally based on them. Even if a law doesn’t apply to us in our country, there are still principles we can learn from studying it.
TIP 4: Look to Jesus
Any law that relates to a sacrifice has been accomplished by Jesus’ sacrifice for us.
TIP 5: Look to Summaries
God summarized the law in Exodus 20 with the Ten Commandments. Jesus summarized the law in Matthew 22:36-40 with two ideas: Love God. Love People.
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:36-40 (ESV)
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Why do we have laws to follow today?
They are for our good.
So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. Romans 7:12 (ESV)
They set us apart from the world.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)
They help us represent Jesus to the world!
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
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The Dangers of the Law
Liberty —————————————— | —————————————— Legalism
“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 1 Corinthians 10:23 (ESV)
Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery—to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. Galatians 2:4–5 (ESV)
Faith —————————————— | —————————————— Works
But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. James 2:18 (ESV)
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Decision Making
You have a conscience to listen to. God gives wisdom to guide your decisions. God puts us in the church to build us up and hold us accountable. God gives us the Holy Spirit to teach & convict us. God has given us His Word!
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PASSAGES FOR FURTHER STUDY
• Psalm 119 (Delighting in the Law)
• Exodus 20 (The Ten Commandments)
• 1 Corinthians 8 (Matters of Conscience)
• Leviticus 18 (Sexual Ethics)
• 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (Sexual Ethics)
• Matthew 5-7 (Kingdom Living)
• The Book of James (Doers of the Word)
• Romans 2 & 3 (The Law & Salvation)
• The Book of Galatians (The True Gospel)
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Who will you share a verse with today?